Out of all the upcoming Android phones, I see the Motorola Atrix 4G as the most exciting device because of its innovative docks which allow it to transform into a desktop or laptop computer. No pricing details have been announced, but a Best Buy employee is reporting that an AT&T representative told him the laptop dock should retail for around $150.

Current entry-level netbooks with similar sized screens go for around $250 online, so the $150 price sounds believable. The Atrix 4G laptop dock comprises of only a battery, 11.6 inch display, speakers, and keyboard so that should help reduce its overall price.

If you were already planning on getting the Atrix 4G, what are the chances you spring for the laptop dock too? Do you think the rumored price of $150 is a fair value for a smartphone accessory that delivers a laptop-like experience?

Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One as his daily devices. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. | Ethics statement

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I can’t wait for this beast to be released! Yes, I’m definitely getting the laptop dock!

http://Website James Homer III.

never. RIP-OFF

http://Website SquirrelWithAGunAtTheZoo

I LOL’ed at the price.

http://Website bemymonkey

What I want to know is whether you’ll be stuck with the laptop interface Moto’s putting on there (keyword: signed bootloader) or whether you’ll be able to put on any ARM Linux distro…

jakmayhopher

My question is would this dock work for any computer, or does it come already attached to the back of a netbook? I’m on T-mobile but this phone is looking pretty cool. I might have to switch to it unless the LG Star comes to T-mobile.

http://androidandme.com Taylor Wimberly

The dock is built into the laptop accessory and only meant for use with the Atrix 4G.

http://Website nikijs

its not a laptop. its dockstation with display, keyboard and battery. There are no hardware in it.

http://Website Jason

The price is not outrageous, hopefully it is the MSRP and retailers will have sales on it. I’d be willing to pay around $100 for it

http://Website cosmos

$150 is about what I expected but considering this thing is basically just a screen and keyboard I’m sure they could have managed a much more attractive $99… what you say Moto? ;)
These docks are a cool innovation for sure, but really, what kind of a person has a top of the range smartphone and no laptop!?

http://Website @neidlinger

I agree with you that most people that use this caliber of cell phone has a separate laptop/netbook and possibly even a tablet.

But here the great thing about this setup. I no longer have to carry two separate devices. if i have files on my computer i have to fire it up and wait for it to boot so i can access them.

With this if i open Docs to Go, work a file, and go to save it. it’s on my phone. where ever i go. I have it… That’s way makes this nice.

What would ROCK in the White Collar Corporate world is USB port for attaching to Projectors.

http://androidandme.com Taylor Wimberly

It has a USB ports for external storage or a mouse. Not sure if it would support projectors, but I’m sure Moto could make it work if they wanted to.

http://Website cosmos

True, good points!

WickedToby741

My guess is that if you use the HD Media Dock a projector with HDMI will work and support for presentation clickers could be added similarly to USB mice. You are right though that this would rock for giving presentations, especially if you use online solutions like SlideRocket.

http://Website Steffen

I really wish that all manufacturers of Android phones would get together and decide on a docking standard so that us Android users could have a ton of accessory options like those with iPhones, iPods, iPads, etc… Thats one thing that Apple definitely did right.

http://Website Droidwolf

What ur saying is right but the problem here is that apple owns all thoughs products. There for they can make everything compatibal. In the world of android this is not the same case.

http://Website Nate

That’s deffinitelly the way it should go, but all the manufacturers want to make money so they’re gonna be proprietary at least until Google implements something like the webtop mode into stock android.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetsleeves Joshua V

Great point Steffen, a standard would go a long way and put Android phones at a higher competitive level. Google would have to create the standard, all the manufacturers will build what they want…

RAMBLING RICO RAT

AMEN ON STANDARDIZATION! SAME FOR THE TAX CODE – BUT THEN THEY’LL BE CLONING OUT THE “BEST” OF US SOON ALSO. SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO PICK OUR OWN POISONS AND YOU’VE GOT TO TAKE THE BITTER WITH THE SWEET! YOU KNOW SOON WE’LL BE ABLE TO PLUG OURSELVES IN FOR A RECHARGE ALSO – SORRY, GOT TO GO, MY BATTERIES ARE RUNNING LOW… NOW I’LL BE LOOKING OUT FOR BIONIC…

http://www.toysdiva.com PixelSlave

I can’t believe Motorola didn’t make the dock work for the Bionic. What were they thinking?

http://www.netbooknews.com NicoleScooter

Actually in the Press conference the question was asked..what about a dock for the bionic.

What they basically said was they aren’t done with the set up, so keep an eye out. Fingers Crossed!

http://Website @neidlinger

1GB of RAM v. 512Mb RAM would be my guess.

the Bionic pales in relations to this phone.

WickedToby741

Thats my best guess as well, but the Bionic isn’t far behind the Atrix. It may only have half the RAM but the RAM is faster than what current phones have, so it should be capable. On a bad note though, the ports on the Bionic are on the opposite side of the device as opposed to the Atrix, so this dock will not work. It would have made sense for them to ensure both phones worked in the dock if they intended the Bionic to have it and to bump the Bionic’s RAM up too. Hopefully the necessary changes are made before the Bionic launches and they’re just keeping quiet about it to not take away from the Atrix.

http://Website @neidlinger

It really doesn’t matter to me. I will not go ATT for “this” phone, nor will i jump on board for the Bionic.

I hate Motorola with a passion when it comes to Cell Phones. Yea yea yea i know Police, NFL and countless other people use their products. I like Motorola’s Radio… their Cell phone technology is sub standard in my book

http://www.toysdiva.com PixelSlave

I am well aware the differences b/w the Atrix and the Bionic, but the difference doesn’t address the fundamental question of why Motorola would come up with a strategy like that.

Yes, the Atrix and Bionic are different, but they aren’t SO different that they could be considered entirely different class of smartphones. If this dock idea is something came up by Apple, do you think they would make it work with the 32GB iPhone 4 but not the 16GB one (I know the storage is not the same as RAM)?

It seems to me that whenever the handset makers comes up with a new idea, they only execute it in a half-baked approach. When the result is less than desired, they kill it and let it go.

How difficult would it be to make Bionic and Atrix share the same amount of RAM, the same port layout, and allow them to use the same dock?

WickedToby741

It wouldn’t be difficult at all and thats really why I’m at a loss for why they didn’t do it. It would be more beneficial for Motorola to do so unless AT&T is paying them a ridiculous amount to keep it exclusive, which would be dumb but completely plausible.

http://Website Lucian Armasu

That’s exactly why they are doing it. AT&T needs a new “hero phone” that is above all the others to promote, now that the iPhone will also be available on Verizon. What would be the point if Bionic could the the very same thing Atrix is doing?

WickedToby741

The point would be that for once the manufacturer thinks of the customer over the carrier, but I guess I’m dreaming. If Motorola and Verizon really want to sell the Bionic as a business capable phone and a strong alternative to a Blackberry, they need this accessory and the Webtop App. I really do believe Motorola would actually turn more profits by making it so the Bionic and Atrix can use the laptop dock (and media dock) instead of shelling out to carrier requests. They reach more potential customers and would sell twice as many laptop docks, possibly even more with the business crowd at Verizon.

http://Website Terry

I really want this phone. Only smart phone I’ve had is an iPhone and I want an Android phone to balance it out. As far as the laptop dock…..really depends how much the phone is gonna go for if I get it at the same time or not. If I dont get them both at the same time…..the chances drop quite a bit for getting the dock.

But I was definitely eyeing the Atrix for my next phone (when I first heard about it) and the dock was one of the main reasons so I would definitely get the dock if I were to get that phone.

http://Website Andre

This Atrix is pentaband, so it’s at least frequency compatible. Maybe it’ll work on T-Mo after all.

WickedToby741

I would guess that AT&T will lock it down for other GSM US carriers similar to Verizon with its Global offerings. It was never an issue before because to use an AT&T phone on T-Mobile, you were stuck on the 2G network. I doubt AT&T will allow their most powerful phone to be easily used on T-Mobile.

http://Website yen

I think $99 would be better. Even better if it has USB ports, SD slot and able to run Chrome OS from external source.

fathom614

Why not be able to dock with a laptop/tablet so u can then undock the tablet screen portion. Now thats an all in one device.

http://Website ramky

I definetily agree with you …. people who take mass transit would not be able to use the laptop dock effectively on their way ( you can operate a tablet even while standing on the train)… I think the dock needs to be re designed ( re engineered) so that you can use it with/without the keyboard ; as a tablet …. and with the camera all the time…

http://Website TiberiusMonkey

As much as I’d love the Atrix, I just can’t see me buying one unless Moto do something about their rooting and ROMing stance. I’m not bashing them, or others that buy them but I just simply can’t let myself spend money on a phone that I can’t control every part of. It’s just me.

http://Website mawerick_mc

it’s undoubtful too expensive. Because without the phone itself, this laptop is as good as an Kitchen Board.

Overall i am looking forward to this evolution of superphones, and i love the results so far… tegra 3 with quad core… crazy display resolutions… watch 1080 video + play a 3d game… glass free 3d …
maybe it’s not that late the time when we will start upgrading individual components in our phones :)

bad thing is… i’ll never get any one of these

http://Website A-Droid

If you loose that phone, your PC is gone too.. I love the idea of this thing, but I wouldn’t replace my notebook with it. I feel it dangerous.

WickedToby741

Well if the info on it is really that valuable, just use something like Lookout Mobile (the paid version) so that if you do lose your phone not only can you recover the info, but remote lock your phone, and track it with GPS. Also, if you use the Citrix virtualization, no info is actually stored on the phone but rather the viirtualized PC. Besides, this is more meant to replace Netbooks instead of Notebooks. Its not as powerful as a Notebook, but is a lot more mobile with its small form factor and long battery life.

http://Website Phillip

Is that what it will look like? That piece off the back looks rather awkward…

I was hoping it would dock flat inside it and be used as the trackpad, or better yet a secondary monitor that can be seen at the same time.

But the price does seem reasonable and tempting…

http://Website Zer0-9

Great idea, terrible execution. too awkward in shape, if the phone couldn’t dock inside the unit then a cable would have been better.

Even still the fact that this is on AT&T means I’ll never get one. Most evil of the cell carriers and extremely anti net neutrality.

uzunoff

I agree, with you.
No matter the phone I am staying with T-Mobile. AT&T are expensive, with poor coverage, and even poorer customer support.
Good Luck Taylor.
Let us know what is your experience with them

http://Website tomnewtn

I already have a laptop….3 of them. Why would I need this? I pay $79- mo for unlimited everything on TMO’s loyalty plan.

http://Website DgDeBx

I think the laptop dock is a cool idea, but I don’t want to run the Webtop app. If this ran Chrome OS when docked, that would be my dream device.

http://Website shizzle

Motorola Gaytrix 4G laptop dick is crap!!! crap

http://Website phonegeek

This needs to be a new standard for power/smart phones and every carrier needs to have handsets that do such. while im talking i’m ESPECIALLY POINTING AT TMOBILE…we need some powerful handsets keep up with the times!

Very interesting. A reasonable price but obviously cheaper would be better.

http://Website Coyote

Will this thing run Microsoft Office? Not a tec guy – like the idea – need Office for work.

http://Website Drew

About time someone came out with a device like this.

I would like to see a movement like this.

our smart phones are essentially a portable computer that syncs with everything.
why not simplify it more,
use a phone as a phone,
use an mp3 player as a mp3 player
gps as a gps
a camera as a camera
and laptop as a laptop.

why cant we buy a massive storage device that syncs or docs to everything.
yes you will have to buy a new camera, and a laptop and mp3 but … the maneuverability and ease and not mention using a real camera.
there is something to be said to for a multi-tool but I want a pliers in one hand and Knife in the other.

anyone with me on this?
if so hit me up on a i m if yah want
dudeitsjocko